The Green Bay Packers skirted some early miscues to beat the Carolina Panthers 27-19 at Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

The game got off to an ominous start with the Panthers cashing in on a fumbled kickoff return to take a 3-0 lead, Trey Smack following up a Jordan Love touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft with a missed extra point, and Carolina taking a 10-6 lead early in the second quarter.  The Packers settled in at that point, with Josh Jacobs sandwiching a Matthew Golden score with two of his own to make it a commanding 27-10 lead midway through the third quarter. The scoring run was highlighted by two long passes to Christian Watson, who found himself in the hospital after the first one due to a broken rib and the fear of additional injuries to his lungs. The Panthers narrowed the lead with a field goal and a touchdown, but their final two drives fizzled out to give the Packers the win.

Love completed 30 passes for 288 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception to pace the passing attack. Watson (8), Golden (7), Jacobs, and Kraft all had at least six catches. The Packers' rushing attack remained stagnant, with its stable of backs averaging just 2.5 yards per carry for 66 yards, buoyed by an 18-yard rush by Savion Williams on an end around. The Packers' defense forced three turnovers, two of which came on fumbles.

The Packers will take advantage of the extra rest before they travel to Foxboro to battle the New England Patriots on November 8th.